Zamioculcas plant named ‘EDZAM1702’

ABSTRACT

‘EDZAM1702’ is a new and distinctive  Zamioculcas  plant which is characterized by a very large plant size, with an abundance of leaves comprised of dark green and glossy leaflets born on long light green petioles. The new plant propagates successfully by leaf cuttings and has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus andspecies of the novel variety disclosed herein is Zamioculcas zamiifolia(hort. Lodd.) Engl.

Variety denomination: The inventive variety of Zamioculcas disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘EDZAM1702’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘EDZAM1702’ is a seedling selection resulting from thecontrolled pollination of a first unnamed and unpatented Zamioculcaszamiifolia plant, the seed parent, with a second unnamed and unpatentedZamioculcas zamiifolia plant, the pollen parent, at a commercial nurseryin Maasdijk, The Netherlands, in the summer of 2014. In the summer of2015, one plant was observed to exhibit unique growth characteristicsand was isolated for further evaluation in order to confirm thedistinctness and stability of the characteristics first observed. Uponconfirmation of distinctness and stability, ‘EDZAM1702’ was selected forcommercialization.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘EDZAM1702’ was firstaccomplished in 2015 by way of stem cuttings at a commercial greenhousein Maasdijk, The Netherlands. Four successive generations produced fromstem cuttings have shown that the unique features of the instantcultivar are stable and reproduce true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘EDZAM1702’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions and the phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in the instant environment such as temperature, day length,and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. Thefollowing characteristics have been repeatedly observed and representthe distinguishing characteristics of the new Zamioculcas plant,‘EDZAM1702’. These traits, in combination, distinguish ‘EDZAM1702’ as anew and distinct cultivar.

-   -   1. Zamioculcas ‘EDZAM1702’ exhibits a large plant size; and    -   2. Zamioculcas ‘EDZAM1702’ exhibits an abundance of foliage; and    -   3. Zamioculcas ‘EDZAM1702’ exhibits dark green and glossy        leaflets borne on long, light green petioles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage and growthcharacteristics of the new cultivar, ‘EDZAM1702’. The plant shown isapproximately 30 months old, potted into a 17 cm nursery pot, grown at acommercial greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands.

FIG. 2 shows, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make thesame in color illustrations of this type, the typical foliage of theplant in FIG. 1.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of Zamioculcas zamiifolia known as ‘EDZAM1702’, based uponobservations of 30 month-old plants, potted into 17 cm nursery pots andgrown indoors at a commercial nursery in Maasdijk, The Netherlands.Plants were grown in full sun using accepted fertility and irrigationpractices for Zamioculcas plants. With the exception of preventativefungicides, no chemical pest control measures were employed.Furthermore, no artificial light or photoperiodic treatments were givento the plants. Observation data was recorded in October of 2019.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘EDZAM1702’has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Wheredimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is tobe understood that such measurements are approximations or averages setforth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety maydiffer from the descriptions set forth herein with variations inenvironmental, climactic and cultural conditions. Color notations arebased on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, sixth edition, 2015.

A botanical description of ‘EDZAM1702’ and comparisons with the parentplants and the most similar variety of common knowledge are providedbelow.

-   General plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Tropical evergreen perennial.        -   Plant profile shape.—Narrow inverted triangular to obovate.        -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast to fast growing.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderately vigorous to highly vigorous.        -   Height.—74.3 cm to the top of the foliar plane.        -   Width.—61.8 cm.        -   Propagation.—Type — Leaf cuttings. Time to initiate rooting            — Approximately 30 days at an approximate temperature of 25            degrees Celsius. Crop time — Approximately 1 year to produce            a marketable plant in an 11 cm container.        -   Pathogen and pest resistance and susceptibility.—Plants have            not been observed to be susceptible or resistant to            pathogens and pests common to Zamioculcas sp.        -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to, at least, USDA Zones 10            to 12 and temperatures ranging from 5 to 40 degrees Celsius;            moderate tolerance to rain; low tolerance to wind.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—No stems or branches; compound leaves in            small clumps, arising directly from tuberous rhizomes.        -   Number of clumps per plant.—Five, on average.        -   Number of additional clumps formed each year.—Five, on            average.-   Root system:    -   -   Type.—Tuberous rhizomes bearing thick fleshy roots.        -   Shape of rhizomes.—Irregular oblong to ovoid.        -   Dimensions of rhizomes.—8.2 cm long and 6.5 cm in diameter.        -   Density of rhizomes and roots.—Moderately dense.        -   Distribution of rhizomes and roots.—Rhizomes shallow; roots            distributed evenly throughout the soil profile, from shallow            to deep.        -   Texture of rhizomes and roots.—Glabrous and very fleshy.        -   Color of rhizomes and roots.—Greyed-green, nearest to a            mixture of RHS 195A, 195B, and 195C.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Compound leaves in small clumps, arising            directly from tuberous rhizomes.        -   Attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Division.—Pinnately compound.        -   Leaf profile shape.—Narrow oblong.        -   Dimensions.—64.8 cm long and 14.7 cm wide.        -   Attitude.—Upright; approximately 10 degrees from vertical.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 5 leaves per clump.        -   Stipules.—General — A leafy stipule is present at the base            of each pinnately compound leaf. Shape — Narrow ovate.            Length — 14.9 cm. Width — 4.7 cm. Apex — Acute. Base — Broad            cuneate. Margin — Entire, moderately undulated. Texture —            Papery. Color, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Translucent            greyed-brown; nearest to a mixture of RHS 199A, 199B, 199C            and 199D.        -   Petiole.—Aspect — Ovate. Length — 26.4 cm; 59.8 cm,            including all rachises. Diameter — 3.2 cm at the base; 2.0            cm below the first leaflet. Strength — Strong. Texture —            Smooth and glabrous. Luster — Matte. Color, adaxial and            abaxial surfaces — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147D and            slightly darker distally, nearest to in between RHS 147B and            147C.        -   Rachis.—Aspect — Ovate. Length — 33.4 cm. Diameter — 1.25 cm            at the widest point; 1.1 cm at the narrowest point. Strength            — Strong. Texture — Smooth and glabrous. Luster — Matte.            Color, adaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 147D;            sparsely and irregularly blotched with a darker shade of            yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 147B and 147C yet            closest to 147C. Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 147D; moderately and irregularly blotched in            between greyed-green and brown, RHS 197A and N200B, and            lightly suffused with yellow-green, RHS 147A.        -   Leaflets.—Quantity — Typically 16 leaflets. Attitude — At an            angle of approximately 60 degrees to the rachis. Dimensions            — 9.8 cm long and 4.7 cm wide. Shape — Obovate to elliptic.            Aspect — Slightly carinate and lightly curled inward. Apex —            Abruptly acute. Base — Obtuse. Margin — Entire; very            slightly undulated. Texture, adaxial surface — Glabrous and            moderately coriaceous. Texture, abaxial surface — Glabrous            and moderately coriaceous. Luster, adaxial surface — Very            glossy. Luster, abaxial surface — Glossy. Color — Juvenile            foliage color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS            NN137A. Juvenile foliage color, abaxial surface — Nearest to            in between green and yellow-green, yet darker and more            intense; RHS 143A and 146A. Mature foliage color, adaxial            surface — Nearest to yellow-green, RHS NN137A, yet darker.            Mature foliage color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to RHS 146A, yet slightly darker. Venation — Pattern            — Pinnate. Vein color, adaxial surface — Green, nearest to            RHS 143C. Vein color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green,            nearest to in between RHS 144B and 144C. Petiolule — Aspect            — Flattened oval. Length — 0.8 cm. Diameter — Petioles            flattened; average width is 0.45 cm and the average height            is 0.35 cm. Strength — Strong. Color, adaxial surface —            Yellow-green, nearest to in between RHS 146A and 146B.            Color, abaxial surface — Yellow-green, nearest to RHS 1466.            Texture, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Smooth and glabrous.            Luster, adaxial and abaxial surfaces — Matte.-   Inflorescence: No flowering has been observed to date.

COMPARISON WITH THE PARENT PLANTS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EDZAM1702’ may be distinguished from itsseed parent, an unnamed Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant, by thecharacteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison Between ‘EDZAM1702’ and The Seed ParentCharacteristic ‘EDZAM1702’ The Seed Parent Amount of leaf-bearing Fewerclumps per plant More clumps per plant clumps. than the parent. than‘EDZAM1702’. Leaflet shape. Less elliptic; closer to More elliptic.obovate. General coloration of the Lighter shade of green Darker shadeof green foliage. compared to the parent. compared to ‘EDZAM1702’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EDZAM1702’ may be distinguished from itspollen parent, an unnamed Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant, by thecharacteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison Between ‘EDZAM1702’ and The Pollen ParentCharacteristic ‘EDZAM1702’ The Pollen Parent Amount of leaf-bearing Moreclumps per plant Fewer clumps per plant clumps. than the parent. thanthe parent. Leaflet shape. More elliptic. Less elliptic; closer toobovate. General coloration of the Darker shade of green Lighter shadeof green foliage. compared to the parent. compared to ‘EDZAM1702’.

COMPARISONS WITH THE MOST SIMILAR VARIETY OF COMMON KNOWLEDGE

Plants of the new cultivar ‘EDZAM1702’ are most similar to thecommercial variety, Zamioculcas ‘EDZAMVIG1’ (Community Plant VarietyRights grant number 45882). A comparison of ‘EDZAM1702’ with ‘EDZAMVIG1’is described in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Comparison Between ‘EDZAM1702’ and ‘EDZAMVIG1’ Characteristic‘EDZAM1702’ ‘EDZAMVIG1’ Leaf attitude. More relaxed than More uprightthan ‘EDZAMVIG1’. ‘EDZAM1702’. Leaflet shape. More elliptic. Lesselliptic; closer to obovate. Leaflet aspect. Slightly carinate andSlightly carinate and more lightly curled inward. strongly curledinward. Leaflet margins. Lightly undulated. Moderately undulated.General coloration Darker shade of green Lighter shade of green of thefoliage. compared to compared to ‘EDZAMVIG1’. ‘EDZAM1702’.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Zamioculcas plant named ‘EDZAM1702’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 